The Magic Carpet (film)


The Magic Carpet is a 1951 American adventure film directed by Lew Landers and written by David Mathews. The film stars Lucille Ball, John Agar, Patricia Medina, George Tobias, Raymond Burr, Gregory Gaye, Rick Vallin and Gary Klein. The film was released on October 18, 1951, by Columbia Pictures. The film opened in Los Angeles on October 18, 1951, three days after I Love Lucy premiered.

Plot

Omar, the caliph, and Yazmina, the queen, arrange their infant son's escape when rival Ali decides to forcibly overthrow them. Before they are slain, they make sure the baby, his locket and magic carpet end up in the safe hands of an uncle, Ahkmid, a physician who then raises young Ramoth to manhood.
Ramoth, unaware he is the rightful heir but disapproving of Ali's tyranny, disguises himself as "The Scarlet Falcon" and, assisted by friend Razi and Razi's beautiful sister Lida, attempts to disrupt the caliph's reign. The evil Boreg becomes his nemesis, as does Narah, a princess who is the sister of Ali.
Ahkmid, mortally wounded by Boreg, reveals to Ramoth his true identity. Lida endeavors to infiltrate Ali's forces by disguising herself as a dancer, but she is caught and imprisoned. Ramoth is also taken prisoner, but Lida escapes and sends the magic carpet to rescue Ramoth in the nick of time. Ali is killed, Narah placed in a dungeon as Ramoth and Lida fly off on the carpet to begin a new life.

Cast

, in his 2 star review, described it as a "Mild costumer that has virtue of Ball as heroine, and little else," even though it is Medina who portrays the actual heroine of the story.